Much has been written about the growth in mass timber construction, but it’s important to note that this growth is not just happening in Europe and North America. It is truly a global movement, with mass timber structures being built all over the world.
While some have called the increased use of timber a ‘building revolution,’ we prefer to consider it an ‘evolution’ because using plant life to build structures is such a natural step in the progression of our industry.
But evolution takes time. CLT was invented in Europe more than 20 years ago and is only now starting to gain real traction elsewhere.
In order for a new technology to become readily adopted on a global scale, there are several requirements that must be met: there must be a need, it must be cost competitive and it must have proof of concept.
As we look at the reasons designers are increasingly using mass timber construction around the world, several stand out: people are recognizing the need to reduce carbon emissions and they have a strong commitment to building more sustainably using wood. Solid timber buildings can be quickly and easily erected and they are cost competitive, often at a 4 percent savings1 over steel and concrete. Plus, the cost of CLT panels will continue to drop as more manufacturing plants open around the world.
That leaves us with proof of concept. A number of designers and manufacturers are paving the way for the rest of the world to take advantage of mass timber construction technology. It’s an idea whose time has come. Let’s take a look at six projects outside of Europe and North America which help demonstrate that there is a serious global movement taking place in the mass timber space.
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